On an intense high from his victory at the 2012 London Olympics, I spoke with Michael Tinsley or for those who know him simply Mike T on his way back from supporting his teammates at the Village. With all that he has to be proud of he still remains the same humble personable guy he was in college. Mike was born in Little Rock Arkansas on April 21,1984 like myself Mike was the product of a single-parent household and has definitely lived down the negative stereotype that is often associated with it. As a child Tinsley attended Joe T. Robinson school in the Pulaski County District until he graduated high school. Always an avid athlete Mike wouldn't take an interest in track until he was in the 7th grade, and didn't start hurdles until he was in the 8th grade while still playing basketball. As a freshman in high school Mike describes it as his calling at the point where he really became a skilled runner, and began winning races in the hurdles. Upon his completion of high school Mike was offered many scholarships and he decided to attend Jackson State University on a full athletic scholarship.
Tinsley majored in Criminal Justice and that's how we got to know one another, since he was on the track team he would often miss class because of his extensive training and out of state meets. In the morning he would hit the weight room for 2hours and be back at it again for three more hours in the evening, since we had almost every class together I would make sure I would get his assignments when he was away. Upon his departure from JSU Mike was blessed with a contract from Adidas due to his good heart, hardwork and dedication, on his first attempt to qualify for the Olympics he didn't make the cut. Mike described that experience by saying" that will either make you quit or work harder" , well he had come much to far to quit so he worked harder, his workouts became more intense to build up his endurance and he went alot harder in the weight room. This tenacity is what led Mike to qualify for the first trials of the Olympics, once he got a qualifying time he went on the Olympic trials in which he placed the top three making the Olympic team.
It was such an amazing experience to see Mike do such a great thing, he describes his experience as" nothing short of amazing just being there and knowing that people from all over the world have been training and putting in the same work he had really made it sink in, and I knew that once I became an Olympian that it would be with me forever, that's something nobody can take away from me, something my son and family could be proud of for generations". I find that such an amazing thing that he can give his son that as a standard of greatness in life to be inspired by. When I asked Mike did he get star struck by seeing any of the athletes he had been fans of he replied by saying" it was fun getting to know the NBA players and taking pictures they were very welcoming". I really wanted to know exactly what does one feel at the height of the moment when you are on that track, and millions of people are watching not just in the venue but all over the nation"I zone out once that gun goes off he says, it gets your adrenaline racing and I'm thinking about nothing but executing my race".On Monday August 6, 2012 during the finals of the 400m hurdles 2:45 CST, Michael Tinsley made history winning the Silver Medal for Team USA, he plans on continuing to run track and next year he will take on the World Championship trials, and will be headed back to the Olympics in 2016. Mike attributes much of his success to his Alma Mater JSU for giving him the opportunity to run and get an education.
Location:UK
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